sat grammar

what verbs go with a plural subject

plural verbs (dont end in -s)

“if” is for

“whether” is for

a condition

a concern

parallel structure

all verbs in the sentence follow the same pattern (-ing with -ing, -s with -s)

the conditional clause (the if clause)

does NOT require “would”

“they” only refers to

people, not something inanimate (ex: a tv channel..)

make sure a sentence includes

a subject. otherwise it is incorrect for being unclear

the shortest choice is not always the answer

sometimes its the longer answer bc it has to be CLEAR what is happening in a sentence

which requires

a CLEAR antecedent (something preceding it)

does “considered” require “as” after it?

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

independent clause

can stand on its own, basically its own sentence (has a subject and a verb)

dependent clause

not a full sentence, cannot stand on its own

connecting 2 independent clauses

period

semicolon

colon

comma + fanboys

(you will never have to pick between these)

fanboys

for and nor but or yet so

connect independent to dependent clause

comma

dash

colon

fanboys with no comma

connect dependent to independent

comma

comma splice (ERROR!!!!!!!!!!)

using a comma to join 2 independent clauses. NEVER DO THIS

uses of the colon (:)

to introduce a (simple) list

link an independent clause with an explanation (dependent clause)

to introduce a quotation

uses of the semicolon (;)

in a complicated list (a list with explanations!)

to link 2 independent clauses

semicolon reminders

the clauses on either side of the semicolon MUST be independent clauses. if they cant stand alone, a semicolon shouldnt be used

the two clauses should be closely related in meaning

the word after the semicolon isnt capitalized unless it is a proper noun (like a name or smth)

uses of a comma (,)

separate several adjectives in a sentence (remember that this can only be done if the order of the adjectives can be changed. if it doesnt make sense when the adjectives are used, a comma doesnt work)

for a simple list

to separate independent clauses

to separate introductory elements

to enclose something, like parenthesis

used to separate direct speech in quotations

to separate elements of contrast

uses of dash (—)

emphasises whats after it

and be used like parenthesis

Period =

= Semicolon = Comma + and/but

2 commas = 2 dashes =

= non-essential clause. When crossed out, the sentence still makes sense

It’s =

it is

Its =

possessive form of it

its’ =

does not exist

Colon =

list or explanation. Need a complete sentence before but not after.

BEING, usually =

WRONG (being + ,)

Could/would/should/might …

HAVE, not OF

No comma before or after a

preposition (of, by, to, at, for, from, with, in, on) , or the word that

Comma before it, he, she, they usually =

WRONG

Singular verbs end in

\-s

plural verbs do not end in

\-s

Keep pronouns consistent

one = one, you = you

Who is for

people

which is for

things

where is for

places

(like saying “where” something happened in a book is wrong. you would use when)

Use who before a

verb (who went, NOT whom went)

use whom after a

preposition (e.g. by whom, NOT by who).

All items in a list must match

(noun, noun, noun or verb, verb, verb)

affect

impact/influence

effect

to bring about

between …. AND

conventional (correct)

between … OR

nonconventional (incorrect)

longer than works the same as

“less than” so it must be followed with THAN

problems “pursue”

unconventional. problems “persist” is correct

rhetorical styles

understatement vs irony vs hyperbole

verb

action word

noun

person/place/thing

pronoun

i/we/she/he/they/our/etc.

used similarly to nouns

adjective

describes a (pro)noun

adverb

describes a verb

‘s

possessive

s’

multiple

subordinate conjunctions note

if you get a short sentence that starts with a subordinate conjunction and no other explanation, its an incomplete thought and incorrect.

ex: while the day passed or smth

common subordinate conjunctions

white, after, because, although, before, unless, as, if, when, since, until, whenever, whereas, even though, rather than